Government extending a helping hand

It is reassuring to know that in these troubled times help is at hand for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in several forms.

HMRC, for instance, organises a range of Business Advice Open Days throughout the year and across the country, which are a perfect opportunity to obtain free practical business advice. The open days give access to experts across a range of business issues – from start-up advice to growth strategies and dealing with difficult times – and provide help with complying with regulations in areas such as health and safety, IT, data protection and environmental issues.

Some of the key national partners present at these open days are: Business Link, the Health and Safety Executive, the UK Intellectual Property Office, the Environment Agency, Jobcentre Plus and there is of course also help and advice on business tax issues.

Attendance to these open days should be booked in advance, which can be done online at http://www.businessadviceday.gov.uk/events.

HMRC is also sponsoring a new four-part TV series called ‘The Business Inspector’, which will be broadcast weekly from March 17 at 8pm on Channel Five. The series aims to raise awareness among SMEs of the importance to keep good records and to improve their business knowledge and direction.

Entrepreneur Hilary Devey, who presents the series, said: “Britain’s brimming with creativity but a terrifying number of businesses go bust each year and this shouldn’t be happening. I am going to teach businesses how to improve their all round business knowledge and direction, cash flow, marketing strategy and in some cases even their enthusiasm. Invaluable lessons they will never forget.”

Finally, the Government also offers free advice via the Business Link website in the Employing People section, including simple online tools to help SMEs manage their legal obligations. And as an extension to this, the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) launched a new online tool in September of last year to help SMEs stay up to date on new legislation, which can be downloaded at www.businesslink.gov.uk/employmentlaworganiser.